Chrissy Lane for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International 

Tampa, FL – March 31, 2007 – The adult amateur hunter riders wrapped up their second-to-last week of showing this afternoon at the 2007 Winter Equestrian Festival, and Glen Senk came out on top in the 36-50 Adult Amateur Hunter division.

Senk nabbed both championship and the reserve championship honors with Dynamic and True, respectively. With Dynamic, a chestnut gelding, Senk earned fourth and fifth over fences yesterday and won all three classes this morning. With True, he collected first and third over fences yesterday. On his third mount in the class, Laredo, he was second in both classes yesterday and was second and third over fences today. On Laredo, Senk was less than a point away from his reserve championship total.

Of his horses, he smiled and noted that all three were “terrific.” He continued, “They made a big improvement in the footing, and they just went great.” Senk owns Fashion Farm LLC and rides with Scott Stewart of Flemington, NJ.

“Dynamic, he’s huge. He’s 18 hands. He’s a beautiful mover and has a wonderful expression. He just loves his job, so his ears are always forward and he’s always looking for the jumps,” Senk commented about his champion horse. “He’s a fantastic jumper. It’s an extraordinary feeling to be on him in the air. His head and neck just disappear, and his back cracks, and he’s so powerful. There aren’t many horses that jump like him.”

Senk has owned True, a beautiful gray, for many years and has earned many tricolors with him. “True is extremely smart, he loves to win, and nothing phases him. He really hasn’t shown a lot, but he’s been champion almost everywhere. He loves his job, and he loves the ring.”

As far as Laredo is concerned, Senk said that he is a retired grand prix horse who isn’t quite ready to leave the show ring for good. “Laredo won his last grand prix at 18, so he retired from the jumper ring, but he loves to jump and he loves to show. We left him home a couple weeks during the WEF circuit, and he was really upset. So, we took him with us on the road, and he just loves what he does. He’s not a hunter, but he’s always great!” he enthused.

Senk will cap off the winter season by competing in the Adult Amateur Hunters in the final week of the circuit, and he stands a good chance of being circuit champion in the division.

In the 18-35 Adult Amateur Hunter division, Michael Danner piloted Rumors, owned by Kashmere Farms LLC, to the championship. Although this was the pair’s first showing at the 2007 Winter Equestrian Festival, they proved to be up to the challenge. Danner, who is 18 years old and resides in Tampa, said he showed at the HITS Ocala winter series this season and dabbled in a variety of divisions.

“I showed in a bunch of different divisions – I didn’t do the same one every week, but we did well. This is the first time I’ve done the hunters in a long time. I’ve done a lot of equitation and some jumpers, but not too many hunters,” Danner commented.

Reserve champion in the 18-35 Adult Amateur Hunters was Christina Serio aboard Daisy May.
                    
In the 51 & Over Amateur-Owner Hunter division, Ellen Toon captured the top two spots with In Disguise, her veteran partner. Although the flashy bay gelding was off for awhile into the beginning of the winter season, In Disguise has rapidly resumed his place in the winner’s circle. Toon was also reserve champion on Attaché and earned top ribbons on Invincible, a new ride for her.

Tomorrow’s competition will see more championships pinned in several hunter divisions, including the Small and Large junior divisions and the 18-35 Amateur-Owned Hunters. In addition, several equitation classes such as the Washington International Horse Show Equitation class and the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search will be held in the Jumper Annex.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Chrissy Lane of Phelps Media Group, Inc. at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

WEB SITE: Phelps Media Group, Inc. International Press Releases are available for download at http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/.

PHOTO CREDIT: Glen Senk and Dynamic Photo ©2007 Randi Muster. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.